Microsoft Launches New Online Resource for Nonprofit Groups

REDMOND, Wash. — July 9, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the global availability of NGO Connection, a new online resource for thousands of nonprofit groups around the world. Driven by feedback from nonprofit partners and years of experience working with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the online resource is designed to assist NGOs to more efficiently use technology to achieve their goals as well as to encourage networking and coordination of NGO resources across the world.

The primary goal of the new online resource is to provide a convenient and easy one-stop shop for technology resources, knowledge sharing, community building and real-life examples for nonprofit organizations. By using simple, nontechnical terminology, NGO Connection endeavors to make it easier for NGOs to access the complete range of Microsoft resources and offerings, and help them effectively use other online resources for nonprofit groups. NGO Connection also will be localized into Arabic, French, German, Russian and Spanish in the coming months, bringing the resources of NGO Connection to an even wider audience of NGOs.

Whether a nonprofit group is searching for access to software or interested in networking opportunities with other organizations working on similar projects or looking to engage with Microsoft and other partners on key initiatives, NGO Connection offers all the resources that they need to achieve their goals,” said Pamela Passman, corporate vice president of Global Corporate Affairs at Microsoft. “By providing a virtual workspace that is rich in technology resources for NGOs to inform, engage and collaborate with other NGOs, the new online tool provides a one-stop portal that meets all their technology and networking needs.”

GO Connection also makes it easy for NGOs to share best practices and case studies, giving them the option of participating in an online forum where they can engage in dialogues about using technology effectively and share solutions to some of their common challenges. The goal is to help NGOs make the connection between their needs and how to solve them with technology.
“Technology is as essential for NGOs as it is for any business in today’s networked economy. But unlike most businesses, NGOs typically lack the resources and knowledge to access the technologies that can make them more effective, efficient and sustainable in serving those at the margins of modern life,” said Rebecca Masisak, Co-CEO of TechSoup, a trusted technology resource for the nonprofit community. “Microsoft’s new portal, NGO Connection, is a well-organized, user-friendly and comprehensive guide to the free, the donated and the affordable.”

This is the kind of portal Interface3 and other NGOs have been wanting for a long time,” said Christophe Devolder, Management Information Systems Manager of Interface3, a Belgium-based professional development center for women that provides free technology, management and language training. “Everything is gathered in one site that is clear, well-structured and user-friendly. I particularly appreciate the ‘how-to’ approach, which provides real-world information on access to grants, online training tutorials and technical support. I think NGO Connection will be useful to many NGOs.”

More information about NGO Connection is available at

http://www.microsoft.com/NGO.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.